Ron, Melanie and David with Capt. James Cunningham
-Capt. Jeff Larson
OH! OOOHH! OooOoH! OUOUCH!!! (High Pitch Girls Voice), After 30 years of wading along the Gulf Coast, It was finally my turn to get hit by a sting ray. While doing a tow job in the Lagoon, my water intake on my Evinrude was clogging up from all the grass on top of the water during low tide. The water spout wasn’t discharging the circulated water like normal; it was clogged up as well. I stepped out of the boat to really clear the grass out and around the skeg so we could finish the job. Then BAM!!! Slice, Slice, Stick! Right through my heavy rubber shoe into the side of my right foot. SHREELING in a high screeching voice, I fly out of the water, almost walking on it, hit the deck of the Mowdy and begin tearing off my wading shoes and sox. Seeing my life flash before me. I’m definitely over reacting. Didn’t seem like it at the time. I begin to assess the damage. OK, it’s not bleeding too bad but I feel the fire increasing in my foot. The only thing I know to do is try and stop it from climbing up my leg. I press super hard behind the wound and start pushing the blood and poison back out of the wound.
The wound isn’t big but the stinging fire pain is increasing. I spend a few minutes pressing the fluid back through the opening in my foot. Dawn, my wife gets the hydrogen peroxide and begins washing the entrance point. After about a minute, or more of me whining, Captains James and Brandon start pouring salt in the wound, you’re OK! You big baby, Let’s go, suck it up, you get the picture. I’m thinking flesh eating Vib, can’t fish, pain, foot problems and the list grows on.
The bottom line is, I got lucky this time, I have a girl’s scream and you never know when things can go awry, so be prepared with your safety equipment. Usually, most people get a bit of sympathy when they get hurt but after everyone on the bay heard me hit some really high notes, all I got was a beer to shut me up and a hard time. Use this experience to be ready for the unexpected, make sure you have a first aid kit, and plenty of cleansing agents ( rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or a bleach/water solution) to wash out any open wound.
July was an epic month for catching everything from Blue Crabs to Marlin. The best tactic for catching trout, reds and flounder was wading. Croaker and Piggies were the best Bait for Bait Fishermen while soft plastics were a solid pick to string em on artificials. Tops had the most action when the reds and trout were aggressively feeding. The surf was the best place to be during July and August when you could get out there. Flounder Gigging was and still remains phenomenal. Walking or boat gigging gets it done for the spear fishermen who don’t want to get a sunburn. There is always a bonus flounder or 2 in the pictures I see come across my phone and FB.
August is working on being an epic month also. Offshore, Near shore, Inshore, Where and What do you want to catch? Did you say flounder? With a rod & reel or gig, in a boat or out, day time or night time.
Speaking of flounder giggin’. Roger from Seadrift, our beloved, retired Police Chief has started manufacturing flounder gigs with a underwater light attached to the gig. They are Awesome! They are easy to use and super efficient when wading for flat fish. If anyone wants to gig flounder this is the way to go. Roger has named the combo, Gig & LITE. He has 2 basic models, Model 1 has 9 LED lights and produces just under 30 watts of light and weighs a little over 3lbs. The 2nd Model is a little lighter at 2 pounds and is a bit more stream lined with 6 LED lights. I have 3 of each. Either model works great. If weight is an issue I suggest purchasing the lighter model.
If you gig deeper areas and want more lighting, I use the 9 LED model because it has more lights. They both run on a 12v battery. My deer feeder battery has kept the 9 LED model 1 running for over 17 hours. I haven’t tested the other model but it pulls less power. The gigs and name are being patented and copyrighted due to their popularity. The lantern days are being replaced with a more efficient, faster and easier method.
These gigs are not in any retail stores at the moment. If you want to take advantage of the current pricing give me a call and I can get em to you. The cost at this point is $150.00 per gig n lite. The retail side is looking like $195 to $210. Roger stands by his product and work. He offers a 1 year guarantee when you purchase his gigs. He will replace any part of the gig for free and the light for cost. He currently has plenty of stock. The only way to purchase a gig at this time is at his shop off of Cemetery Rd, or via Facebook Kolton Braun or myself PM. You can also call me direct.
I’m headed out tonight to get a quick limit of flattys AGAIN with my G&L Model 1 for my birthday, then off to Cabo for some offshore fun fishing where I can still see land. Dove season, Alligator season, Teal Season is almost here. Start breaking out the shotguns. GET EM CLEANED NOW!!! Don’t wait until the last minute, that never works. Utopia Guns off Lane Rd is who takes care of all my battle axes so give them a call. Also you need to get your dates on the calendar. The opening weekends are getting full so call us at The Saltwater Lodge: 361 – 785 – 3825.
Stick Em shallow, Stick Em deep, Stick Em in the Head,
Captain Jeff Larson 281 – 217 – 0399 or limitlarson@yahoo.com.
Limits of flattys with the Gig & Lite Model 2
Melanie with a monster.
Capt. Jeff Larson
